Ticket issuing machine with cutter control

ABSTRACT

A race track ticket issuing machine especially adapted for feature betting is a standard Daily Double machine modified so that it can operate either in the conventional mode issuing Daily Double, Exacta or Quinella tickets, or, by operation of a selector, in a different mode in which it issues double-length tickets for feature bets involving three or four runners. In the latter mode, the machine operates in two ordinary Daily Double cycles. In the first cycle, the ticket cutter is inhibited so that a double-length ticket is delivered.

United State s Patent 1191 Woodie et a1. 1 Nov. 27, 1973 [54] TICKET IssUING MACHINE wITII 2,968,236 1/1961 Swett 101 /19 CUTTER CONTROL 3,036,519 5/1962 Sloan 101/19 3,165,261 1/1965 Wagner 235/619 Inventors: Paul Woodie; Emery 3,180,254 4/1965 Hamisch.... 101/69 both of Baltimore, Md. 3,331,315 7/1967 Henry 1. 101/68 Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant ExaminerEugene H. Eickholt Att0rney-Busser, Smith & Harding [5 7 ABSTRACT 4 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures [22] Filed: Dec. 23, 1971 [21] Appl. No: 211,254

[52] US. Cl 101/66, 83/69, 83/205, 83/221,,83/234, 101/224 [51] Int. Cl B4lj 45/00, B 26d 5/20 [58] Field of Search 101/67, 68, 69, 70, 101/66, 19, 224; 235/619; 83/205, 221, 234, 563, 571

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,427,602 9/1947 Helsel 101/68 2,658,446 11/1953 Helsel 101/69 2,659,300 11/1953 Adshead 101/69 2,708,873 5/1955 Braun 101/19 2,795,185 6/1957 Weingart et a1. 101/69 PAIENIEDunm ms SHEET 2 OF 5 I34 I36 I34 INVENTORS PAUL E. WOODIE 8 EMERY M. LOW BY Fl G. 5.

F l G. 6.

SM fwi w pm ATTORN EYS PATENTED NOV 2 7 I975 3774.530 SHEET 30F 5 INVENTORS PAUL E. WOODIE a EMERY M. LQW

5M1: fiwu e ma ATTORNEYS PATENTEDNUYZ? I975 sum u c; 5

FIG. l3.

LWJLJ Fl 6. I4.

FIG.

FIG. I8.

FIG. 17.

INVENTORS PAUL E. WOODIE a EgrMERY M. LOW B SMHMJ %%M FIG. l2.

ATTORNEYS PAIENTEDMZY ms 3. 7 74.53 0

SHEET 5 BF 5 390 FIG. I5.

388 392 INVENTORS 382 386 see PAUL E. WOODIE &

+ EMERY M. LOW

380 384 BY aw Smii7 ORNEYS BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION May '15, 1962 to Reuben H. Hels el et al. for a detailed disclosure of the mechanism thereof.

The standard Daily Double machine comprises two separate rows of keys, each row operating one of a pair of printing devices each settable at a plurality of alternative printing positions for printing numbers, corre sponding to the selected keys, on a ticket about to be issued. The operator makes a selection in the first row of the winner in the first of a particular pair of races, and in the second row he selects the winner of the second of that pair of races. Upon depression of the second key, the machine automatically begins a normal cycle in whichthe two selections are printed on a ticket which is then issued to the customer. After the issuance of a ticket, the machine automatically becomes ready for another bet. The standard Daily Double machine can readily be used for other forms of feature betting involving two runners. For example, it can be used for Quinella betting in which the bettor selects the first two runners to finish a given race regardless of the order in which they finish. Similarly, the standard machine can be used for Exacta betting (also known as Perfecta or Forecast) in which selection is made of the first two runners to finish a given race with regard to the order in which they finish.

In accordance with this invention, the standard Daily Double machine can be readily modified to issue feature tickets involving three or four runners. A typical form of feature betting of this type is the Triple in which selection is made of the first three runners to finish a given race with regard to the order in which they finish. Another form of betting is the Box Triple in which the first three runners to finish a given race are selected without regard to the order of finish. Another four numbers on each ticket, two numbers being selected and printed in a first normal cycle of the machine, and two more numbers being selected and printed in a second normal cycle.

The cutter inhibiting mechanism comprises a rocking element carried by the reciprocating cutter and normally held in a first position in which it is engaged by the conventional cutter operator to effect movement of the cutter. When the selector lever is positioned for is-- suing ordinary two-runner'tickets, the rocking element is never moved out of its normal position. However, when the selector lever is positioned for issuing three or four-runner tickets, a ratchet mechanism, which is operated once every normal cycle, positions a tooth of a toothed wheel in a location such that it is en gaged by an arm of the rocking element upon return of the cutter from the cutting position. The rocking element is thereby rotated out of its normal condition, the knife operator clears it during the next cycle, and the knife fails to operate. During the subsequent cycle, the rocking element is again returned to its normal condition, and a cutting operation takes place.

Assuming that the machine is being used to issue Triple tickets, the operator selects the number of the race of the first row of keys and selects the win runner on the second row. These selections are transmitted to the temporary memory of a totalisator which will return an acknowledgement to the ticket issuing machine initiating a first cycle of the mechansim which efi'ects printing of the two selected numbers on the first half of the double-length ticket which is then in the printing position. The ticket stock is then fed so that the second half of the double-length ticket is in the printing position, and the cutter is inhibited. A ticket guard is used to prevent the customers from tearing the ticket off at this stage in the operation. The operator then selects the place and show runners on the first and second rows of keys respectively. When the show selection is made, the totalisator routes all four selections to its main core memory,.and sends back an acknowledgement causing the ticket issuing machine to go through form of feature betting is the Superfecta in which a selection is made of'two runners with regard to their order of finishing in each of two different races. Still another form of feature betting is the ,Quadro" in which the bettor selects the first four runners to finish a given race with regard to the order of finish. There are still other forms of betting involving three or more selections in a given bet.

In accordance with this invention, the standard Daily Double machine is modified so that it issues doublelength tickets for the various types of betting just discussed involving three or four selections. The standard Daily Double machine is modified by providing a selector lever and a mechanism responsive to the condition of the selector lever for inhibiting the ticket cutter operation at the end of every other normal machine cycle a second cycle, and place and show entries are printed, and ticket stock is fed, and the cutter operates, cutting off the double-length ticket.

The operation in Triple Box,- Superfecta, and

Quadro is similar. However, in the latter two forms of betting, all four of the numbers printed on the ticket correspond to the runners.

In the ticket issuing machine, electrical interconnections are provided for illuminating, at the end of the first cycle of operation, a lamp which indicates to the operator that a second selection should be made. The electrical circuitry includes means for providing a signal to the totalisator indicating which cycle is taking place in dual cycle operation. Circuitry is also provided for illuminating a lamp which indicates to the operator that a void" button should be pressed when a scratched runner is selected or an illegal combination is selected. The void button causes the machine to issue a ticket which is suitably marked by the printing mechanism so that it cannot be negotiated.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a simple means converting an ordinary Daily Double ticket issuing machine into a machine capable of handling feature bets involving three or more selections.

It is also an object of this invention to provide for rapid conversion of the machine from single cycle to dual cycle operation.

It is also an object of this invention to insure that tickets representing feature bets involving two or more races are issued on a single piece of paper in order to prevent persons from selling off winning tickets in an earlier race to bettors who hope to combine such winning tickets with winning tickets in subsequent races.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a dual cycle ticket issuing machine which is compatible with a race track totalisator.

Other objects will be apparent from the following descriptions when read in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation showing the mechanism on the right-hand side of the machine which is operated by the void push-button.

FIG. 2 is an elevation viewed from the left-hand side of the machine showing the printing mechanism and also showing a mode-selector lever along with part of the associated mechanism for effecting single or dual cycle operation depending on the condition of the lever;

FIG. 3 is an elevation as viewed from the opposite side of the mounting plate shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevation viewed along the axis of rotation of a ratchet assembly which forms part of the cutter inhibiting mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the same ratchet assembly as viewed in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an elevation of the same ratchet assembly shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and viewed along its axis of rotation from the left-hand end of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the cutter operating mechanism which is located behind the mounting plate shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the cutter;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the cutter;

FIG. 10 is an elevation of the cutter mechanism as viewed through the plane 10-10 indicated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation showing the starting solenoid and clutch release mechanism of the ticket issuing machine;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view of part of the clutch release lever which is engaged by the clutch release solenoid;

FIG. 13 is a top plane view of part of the void" mechanism as viewed through the plane indicated at 13-13 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation of the mechanism of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a schematic of the electrical circuitry associated with the ticket issuing machine;

FIG. 16 is a drawing of a typical double-length ticket issued by the machine in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 17 is a side elevation of a removable ticket guard for use in issuing double-length tickets; and

FIG. 18 is an elevation of the removable ticket guard as viewed from the right-hand side of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 11 shows a pinion 20 which is fixed on a shaft 21 driven through reduction gearing by a motor (shown only in FIG. 15). Pinion 20 is arranged to drive a clutch comprising a gear 22 having a portion of itsperiphery removed. To the gear 22 there is pivoted at 24 a lever 26 carrying a gear segment 28, which when in operating position is adapted to fill in the cut-out periphery of the gear 22. A restraining pin 30 is adapted to be engaged by the socket 32 of a lever 34 pivoted to the frame at 36, the arrangement being such as to rock the lever 26 against the tension of the spring 38 connected between it and a fixed pin on gear 22 in such direction as to retract the teeth of gear segment 28 froin continuity with the teeth on gear 22 thus leaving an open space preventing mesh with pinion 20 when the machine is in rest condition.

A gear 40 is shown in mesh with gear 22 (although it may alternatively be in mesh with another complete gear on the same shaft as gear 22). Gear 40 is mounted on a shaft 42 which extends completely across the ticket issuing machine to effect the various operations thereof as explained in detail in U. S. Pat. No. 3,034,714.

A spring 44 is so mounted as to urge lever 34 in a counterclockwise direction with respect to its pivot 36. Lever 34 is prevented from rotating further in the counterclockwise direction by the engagement of a detent 46 (FIG. 12) with a projection 49 fastened to the armature 48 of a solenoid 50, this engagement taking place when the solenoid is deenergized and being releasable by energization of the solenoid.

A toe 52 on lever 34 is provided for engagement with a roller 54 mounted on a switch operating lever 56 which is pivoted at 58 and restrained from further clockwise movement from the horizontal position by a restraint 59. Lever S6 is arranged to operate singlepole, double-throw microswitch 60 when roller 54 is activated by toe 52.

Behind and on gear 40, there is mounted a pin 62 which becomes engaged with extension 64 of lever 34 when gear 40 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in order to effect clockwise movement of lever 34 to return it to the rest position in which it is shown.

Behind and on lever 34, there is mounted a pin 66 which extends through a slot (not shown) in the frame to actuate a switch when lever 34 is in the rest position.

The operation of the mechanism so far described is briefly as follows. When solenoid 50 is momentarily energized, armature 48 moves downward, allowing lever 34 to move counterclockwise about its pivot under the influence of spring 44. This brings pin 66 out of engagement with its associated switch, and also releases pin 30 allowing gear segment 28 to come into engagement with pinion 20. The switch which is released by pin 66 conducts current to the motor, and rotation of shaft 21 begins in the counterclockwise direction to operate the machine through its cycle. As gear 40 moves in the counterclockwise direction, pin 62 engages extension 64, and toe 52 moves toward the left, operating micorswitch 60. Pin 62 clears extension 64, and lever 34 is latched by armature 48, the solenoid having become deenergized in the meanwhile. As gear 22 rotates in the clockwise direction, pin 30 engages socket 32, disengaging segment 28 from pinion 20.

FIG. 2 shows a pair of printing wheel adapted to print a pair of numerals on the ticket stock simultaneously during a cycle of the machine just prior to the feeding of the ticket stock. The printing wheels are independently positionable, the position wheel 68 being dependent on the selection made in the first row of keys, and the position of wheel 70 being dependent on the selection made in the second row of keys. Wheels 68 and 70 are respectively controlled through bevel gears 72 and 74 by shafts 76 and 78 (FIG. 1).

The printing wheels cooperate with a platen 80 (FIG. 7) which is moved by a slide 82 in response to the action of cam 84 against roller 86 which is carried by the slide. Cam 84 is rotated by shaft 42, and is so positioned with respect to shaft 42 that it effects a printing operation prior to the feeding of the ticket stock. Feeding of the ticket stock is effected by a Geneva (not shown) on a shaft 88 geared to shaft 42.

Shaft 88 carries a disc 90 having a roller 92 mounted near its periphery for cooperation with a cutter operating lever 94 pivoted at 96.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 together, lever 94 is provided at its upper end with an extension 98 which operates a cutter mechanism indicated generally at 100.

Cutter mechanism 100 comprises a plate 102 having at one end a cutting blade 104 cooperating with a fixed cutter element 106 (FIG. 7). The cutter assembly is provided with an extension 106 which is engageable by extension 98 of the cutter operating lever so that, whenroller 92 acts upon follower portion 108 of lever 94, the cutter will be retracted by a positive action of the operator so as to assure clearance for the movement of the ticket stock.

When the ticket issuing machine is at rest, the cutter is ordinarily in the closed position in which it is shown in FIG. 7. It will be seen, however, that it is open between cycles in dual-cycle operation.

The cutter is moved in the cutting direction by extension 98 through a lever 110 which is pivoted on plate 102 at 112. Lever 110 is provided with a first arm 114 which extends from pivot 112 over the upper surface of plate 102 and to which there is attached a spring 116, in tension so that it urges lever 110 in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8. Arm 1 l4 is'provided with an extension 118, the function of which is to engage a tooth upon return of the cutter from the cutting position in order to move lever 110 in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8. Thus, when a tooth is in position to be engaged by extension 118, lever 1 will move counterclockwise so that its second arm 120, which is normally engageable and operable by extension 98, is moved to a position over plate 102 to provide a clear space for reciprocation of operator extension 98 without movement of the cutter.

It will be apparent that the presence or absence of a tooth to be engaged by extension 118 upon return of the cutter in a given cycle determines whether or not the cutter will operate in that cycle.

Cutter mechanism 100 is also provided with a cam 122 which is arranged, as shown in FIG. 7, to operate a microswitch 124.

Cutter 102 is mounted for longitudinal sliding movement between frame members 126 and 128 as shown in FIG. 10. A ratchet assembly 130 is rotatably mounted in a bearing in frame member 128. The assembly includes a ratchet 132, a toothed wheel 134 and a four-lobed cam 136. The details of the ratchet assembly and the relationship between the ratchet, toothed wheel and cam will be apparent from FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. Cam 136 is arranged to operate microswitch 138 mounted next to microswitch 124.

In FIG. 10, cutter 102 is shown in the retracted position, and lever is shown in a condition in which it is rotated counterclockwise to provide a clearance for movement of extension 98 of cutter operating lever 94 without affecting the cutter.

Since FIG. 10 does not show the mechanism for operating ratchet 132 for the sake of clarity, reference should be made to FIGS. 2 and 3 which show respectively the right-hand and left-hand sides of frame member 128 as viewed in FIG. 10. On pin 140, there are pivoted three levers, the first of which, lever 142, is a mode selection lever (shown in the position for dual cycle operation). Arm 144 of lever 142 is provided at its end remote from pin with a pin 146 (FIG. 3) extending through slot 148 in frame member 128. FIG. 3 shows an arm 150 having a pawl 152 which cooperates with ratchet 132. Arm 150 is pivoted on a pin 154 which extends from lever 156 through an opening 158 in frame member 128. Lever 156 is normally urged in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 by a spring 159, and is rotated in a clockwise direction when engaged by a pin 160 which is mounted behind a earn 162 on shaft 42,

In the normal Daily Double mode of operation, pm 164 of lever 142 is positioned in hole 166. This positions pin 146 at the top of slot 146. Pin 146 prevents pawl 152 from engaging ratchet 132 in the Daily Double mode.

However, with lever 142 in the dual cycle position, as shown, pin 146 does not interfere with the operation of ratchet 132 by pawl 152. Accordingly, with the selector lever in the dual cycle position, ratchet 132 rotates one'eighth turn for each reciprocating movement of lever 156. A retainer prevents reverse movement of ratchet 132.

Thus, in Daily'Double operation, the cutter operates at the end of each cycle, whereas in dual cycle operation, the cutter operates only at the end of the second of two cycles. The cutter is prevented from operating at the end of the first cycle by the operation of the teeth on wheel 134 as explained above. The mode selector lever may only be shifted at the end of a Daily Double cycle or dual cycle when the cutter is closed.

When lever 142 is in the dual cycle position it activates a microswitch 166 (FIG. 2).

Cam 162 operates roller 172 on lever 174. Lever 174, in turn, cooperates with pin 176 which is part of the conventional ticket guard mechanism including element 176 shoum in FIG. 7.

Element 173 rises when the ticket stock is moving and retracts at the end of the cycle. In ordinary Daily Double operation, ticket guard element 173 prevents a customer from touching the ticket as it is being issued and thereby jamming the issuing mechanism.

When the apparatus is set up to issue double'length tickets, element 173 reciprocates, but performs no function. The customer is prevented from interfering with a partially issued ticket by guard 163 shown in while the ticket is being issued, a sufficient length of ticket stock would be outside the machine to allow bending and thereby prevent damage to the mechanism. If it is desired to return to ordinary Daily Double operation, guard 163 may be readily removed.

Reference should now be made to FIGS. 1, l3 and 14 which illustrate the mechanism for performing a void operation by the manual depression of a void key 180 located to the right of the keyboard comprising rows 182 and 184 for runner selection.

Void" key 180 is connected to a slide 188 which is urged toward the left by a coil spring 190. About a fixed pin 192 there are pivoted three arms 194, 196, and 198 (FIG. 13). Arm 194 is operated by solenoid 200 through rod 202, the arrangement being such that when solenoid 200 is energized electrically, rod 202 is pulled against the force of spring 204, rotating arm 194 clockwise.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 13 and 14, arm 196 is provided with a first pin 206 which is connected by a spring 208 to a pin 210 on arm 194. Pin 210 is shown resting against surface 212 of arm 196, whereby clockwise rotation of arm 194 from the position in which it is shown necessitates clockwise rotation of arm 196 so that its second pin 214 operates microswitch 216. Because of the connection through spring 208, it is possible for arm 194 to return to the position at which it is shown even though arm 196 may be held in its clockwise position by reason of the engagement of its pin 214 with slide surface 218. Arm 194 is also provided with a second pin 220 which is connected through spring 222 with a pin 224 of arm 198. Arm 198 remains in its most counterclockwise condition except when solenoid 200 is energized, whereupon pin 220 moves clockwise permitting clockwise movement of arm 198. Pin 228 of arm 198 is arranged to operate microswitches 230 and 232, and pin 234 is normally held down by slide surface 235. The slide also carries pawls 237 and 236 which are respectively engageable with ratchets 238 and 240 on the shafts which effect positioning of the print wheels. A detent mechanism operable by cam 242 is shown comprising detent members 244 and 246 which cooperate respectively with ratchets 238 and 240.

Mechanically, the operation of the void mechanism is as follows. When solenoid 200 is energized, rod 200 rotates arm 194 clockwise, and pin 214 moves downwardly providing clearance for movement of slide 188 toward the right as viewed in FIG. 1. Pin 214 also operates microswitch 216. When the operator pushes void" button 180, slide 188 moves toward the right, pin 234 enters slot 244 and pin 228 (FIG. 13) disengages the operating levers of microswitches 230 and 232.

As the slide is moved toward the fight, pawls 234 and 236 effect rotation of the printing wheels to a condition in which the words TEST-TEST" appear in position to be printed on the ticket instead of numerals.

When solenoid 200 is deenergized, pin 234 moves downwardly, allows the slide to return, and simultaneously operates microswitches 230 and 232 through pin 228. When the slide returns, pin 214 moves upwardly and disengages the operating arm of microswitch 216.

All of the various switches and solenoids described so far appear in FIG. 15 wherein elements shown in the other figures are given the same numbers in order to facilitate understanding of the operation of the ticket issuing machine.

FIG. 15 shows the various terminals which are provided for interconnection with a race track totalisator which serves all of the individual ticket issuing machines at the track, which calculates the payoff, and which displays information on the toteboard". Among such terminals are terminals 246, 248 and 250 which, in a complete installation, are connected through a selector switch to the collector-distributor unit of the totalisator. The selector switch in the totalisator is set, depending on the type of betting involved in the particular ticket issuing machine coresponding to that selector switch, so that, during each scan by the collectordistributor unit, a positive signal is sent to one of terminals 246, 248 and 250.

These three terminals may be selectively connected to line 256 by manipulation of switches 252 and 254 on the ticket issuing machine. These manually controlled switches are set on the machine for a particular betting period in accordance with the type of ticket to be issued. Line 256 will receive a positive signal from the totalisator only if the corresponding selector switch is connected to deliver a signal to the terminal of terminal 246, 248 and 250 to which line 256 is connected, and then only when the collector-distributor unit scans the selector switch.

Line 256 is connected through zener diode 258 to the emitter of PNP transistor 260. Line 256 is likewise connected through zener diode 262 of the emitter to PNP transistor 264. When line 256 is positive, the bases of these transistors are normally held positive to maintain the transistors in a cut off condition. This is accomplished in the case of transistor 260 through resistor 266 and diode 268, and in the case of transistor 264 through resistor 270 and diode 272.

The base of transistor 260 is connected to a terminal 274 through resistor 276, and the base of transistor 264 is likewise connected to terminal 278 through resistor 280. Tenninal 274 and 278 are respectively connected, in a complete track installation, to scratch circuit and to an acknowledgement circuit in the totalisator which provides positive signals at these tenninals at appropriate times.

Transistor 260 is adapted to control relay coil 282 by controlling the gate of silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) 284 the anode of which is connected to positive supply terminal 286 and the cathode of which is connected through line 288 to relay coil 282. The collector of transistor 260 is connected to the gate of SCR 284 through resistor 290 and diode 292. Coil 282 is re-' turned to negative supply terminal 294 through line 296, switch contacts 298 and resistor 300.. A return for the anode of zener diode 258 is provided through resistor 302, diode 304 and line 296.

Transistor 264 similarly controls relay coil 306 through SCR 308.

Each key in the machine keyboard closes an individ-' ual switch when it is depressed. A first set of switches corresponding to the first row of keys is indicated at 310, and a second set of switches is indicated at 312. One side of each switch in set 310 is connected in common with the corresponding side of each of the other switches in that set to the cathode of diode 314, the anode of which is connected to line 316. The other terminals of that set of switches, indicated at 319, are connected in a complete installation to the totalisator for the registration of bets. The switches in set 312 are similarly connected together through diode 318 to line 316, and the remaining terminals indicated at 320 are similarly provided for the registration of bets in the totalisator.

The circuit through the key operated switches just described can be traced from line 256 through SCR 322, normally closed contacts 324 of relay coil 282, diode 326, normally closed contacts 328 of relay coil 306 and line 316. The circuitry responsive to the signal at terminal 274 and operating relay contacts 324 constitutes scratch circuit for preventing the registration of bets on scratched runners or illegal combinations. (It also prevents the sale of tickets on such selections as will become apparent.) When the totalisator detects the selection of a scratched runner or an illegal combination through operation of a key-operated switch in sets 310 and 312, it applies a positive signal to terminal 274 which causes transistor 260 to conduct, transistor 260 conducts a gating signal to SCR 284, which in turn operates relay coil 282 opening its contacts 324 in the betting circuit. i

The circuit which is responsive to a positive signal at terminal 278 and operates contacts 328, is an acknowledgement circuit which, assuming a legal selection is made, maintains'continuity in the betting circuit until an acknowledgement signal is received from the totalisator at terminal 278 whereupon contacts 328 opens.

Relay coil 282 has an additional set of normally open contacts 328 which connect positive supplyterminal 286 to line 330. Closure of contacts 328 in response to a scratch signal at terminal 274 energizes line 330, lighting neon lamp 186 which is adjacent the void push button shown in FIG. 1. It also energizes solenoid 200 which (as shown in FIG. 1) immediately effects closure of microswitch 216. Solenoid 200 is connected through line 332 to terminal 334 which is connected to a negative supply in the totalisator. Opening of switch 216 prevents gating of SCR 322 into conduction to complete the betting circuit, when the scratch circuitry operates.

Line 330 is connected to normally open switch230 the other side of which is connected through line 336 to the movable element of double-throw switch 60 and to switch 138.

Line 336 is also connected through resistor 338 to a neon lamp 340 which is returned to a negative supply terminaL This lamp is provided to indicate to the operator that selections should be made for the second cycle in dual-cycle operation.

A positive supply terminal 342 is connected through one set of contacts 344 of mode switch 168 to switch 138, the other side of which-is connected to line 336. Switch 138 is operated by cani 136 (FIG. 10) and is closed whenever a tooth of the toothed wheel 134 is in position to be engaged by extension 118 (FIG. 8). The contact of switch 60 which is in contact with its movable member when the machine is at rest, is connected through line 346, switch 232 and line 348 to solenoid 50, the release solenoid for lever 34.

Line 316 is connected through diode 350 and contacts 351 of switch 168 to the movable element of the cutter-operated microswitch 124 which connects either to terminal 352 or to terminal 354 dependingon the position of the cutter. A diode 356 connects switch 168 directly to terminal 354. Terminals 352 and 354 provide signals which indicate to the totalisator which cycle of the ticket issuing machine is taking place in dual cycle operation, at the end of the first cycle, the cutter remains open, and only terminal 354 will be energized when a signal appears in line 316 of the betting circuit during the second cycle. During the first cycle, however, both terminals 352 and 354 are inoperative in the single cycle mode because of the opening of contacts 351 of the mode switch 168.

Contacts 298 are part of a three-pole switch which is closed whenever one of the keys in the group provided for the second selection is depressed. Also included in this switch are contacts 258 and 360. Contacts 358, when closed, complete a path for the delivery of gate current from line 256 to SCR 322 when a signal is received in line 256 from the totalisator. Contacts 358 thus enable the betting circuit which operates when the signal is received from the totalisator.

Contacts 362 of double pole switch 364 connect positive supply terminal 366 to line 368. When contacts 368 of the triple pole switch close, positive terminal 366 is connected to solenoid 58 through contacts 362 and 3. A return is provided through line 372, and contacts 374 to negative supply terminal 374. Another path for the connection of the positive supply to solenoid is provided from terminal 376 through normally open contacts 378 of relay 3 and contacts 360.

Switch 364 is shown in the position in which it allows the ticket issuing machine to run regardless of its connection to the totalisator. in its other position, line 372 is connected to the totalisator through terminal 334, and operation of solenoid 50 is therefore dependent upon the provision of a negative voltage by the totalisator at terminal 334.

One terminal of motor 380 is connected through line 382 to negative line 372. its other terminal is connected to positive terminal through switches 386 and 388 in series. Switch. 3 is a manually operated toggle switch, while switch 3 is a microswitch which is operated by pin 66 on lever 34. it is open when the lever is in the locked position as shown in FIG. 11; otherwise it is closed so that it conducts current to the motor.

Terminals 386 and 388 are connected to the totalisator and respectively conduct current to releasing solenoid 398 and locking solenoid 392 which controls the condition of the lock bar for preventing depression of the second half" keys of the ticket issuing machine,

' thus enabling the ticket issuing machine to be locked out of operation from a central location.

The overall operation of the ticket issuing machine in dual cycle operation is briefly as follows. The operator presses keys in the first and second rows corresponding to the race number and the first selection (or to the first two selections if the betting involves four runners). Depression of the key in the second row effecs closure of contacts 358 which enable the betting circuit and con-' to light neon bulb 186 which calls for a void operation.

At the end of the first cycle, the cutter remains in an open condition and does not cut the ticket stock as it normally would in ordinary Daily Double operation. Lamp 340 is illuminated, indicating to the operator that a second pair of selections should be made.

The machine operates in a similar manner in the second cycle except that the cutter operates at the end of the second cycle, delivering a double-length ticket.

In summary, the invention provides a very simple modification to an ordinary Daily Double ticket issuing machine which provides for rapid conversion from single to dual cycle operation. ,Various modifications may be made to the apparatus described. For example, by an appropriate choice of a ratchet and toothed wheel, the cutter inhibiting mechanism can be made to operate the cutter only every third cycle or only in every Nth cycle where N is an integer greater than one.

We claim:

1. A cyclically operable ticket issuing machine comprising means, operable in each cycle, for feeding continuous ticket stock to a printing position, means operable in each cycle, for printing the ticket stock in said printing position with information selected by an operator for printing in that cycle, and

means for automatically cutting said continuous ticket stock once in every Nth cycle, where N is an integer greater than one,

in which said means for automatically cutting said continuous ticket stock comprises, a blade, reciprocable means carrying said blade between a closed position and a retracted position, an operating lever, means for effecting reciprocation of said operating lever once for each cycle, a second lever carried by said reciprocable carrying means and positionable in two positions with respect to said carrying means, the first of said two positions being such as to allow engagement between said levers and the second of said positions being such as to prevent engagement between said levers, and means for positioning said second lever in the first of said positions in every Nth cycle and for position-ing saidsecond lever in the second of said positions in the remaining cycles whereby said blade is carried to said closed position only in every Nth cycle.

2. A cyclically operable ticket issuing machine according to claim 1 including selectable means for preventing movement of said second lever to the second of said positions whereby said blade is carried to said closed position in each cycle.

3. A cyclically operable ticket issuing machine comprising means, operable in each cycle, for feeding continuous ticket stock to a printing position,

means, operable in each cycle, for printing the ticket stock is said printing position with information selected by an operator for printing in that cycle, and means for automatically cutting said continuous ticket stock once in every Nth. cycle, where N is an integer greater than one,

in which said means for automatically cutting said continuous ticket stock comprises, a blade, reciprocable means carrying said blade between a closed position and a retracted position, an operating lever, means for effecting reciprocation of said operating lever once for each cycle, a seocnd lever carried by said reciprocable carrying means and positionable in two positions with respect to said carrying means, the first of said two positions being such as to allow engagement between said levers and the second of said positions being such as to prevent engagement between said levers, detaining means for effecting movement of said second lever to the second of said positions upon return of said blade to the retracted position, and ratchet means for moving said detaining means between an operative and an inoperative condition said inoperative condition occurring in every Nth cycle.

4. A cyclically operable ticket issuing machine according to claim 3 in which the ratchet means comprises a ratchet arranged to move said detaining means between an operative condition and an inoperative condition, a reciprocating pawl for driving said ratchet, said pawl normally automatically rotating said ratchet in each reciprocation thereof whereby said detaining means becomes operative in certain cycles and inoperative in others, and selectively operable means for limiting the movement of said pawl to prevent the rotation of said ratchet. 

1. A cyclically operable ticket issuing machine comprising means, operable in each cycle, for feeding continuous ticket stock to a printing position, means operable in each cycle, for printing the ticket stock in said printing position with information selected by an operator for printing in that cycle, and means for automatically cutting said continuous ticket stock once in every Nth cycle, where N is an integer greater than one, in which said means for automatically cutting said continuous ticket stock comprises, a blade, reciprocable means carrying said blade between a closed position and a retracted position, an operating lever, means for effecting reciprocation of said operating lever once for each cycle, a second lever carried by said reciprocable carrying means and positionable in two positions with respect to said carrying means, the first of said two positions being such as to allow engagement between said levers and the second of said positions being such as to prevent engagement between said levers, and means for positioning said second lever in the first of said positions in every Nth cycle and for position-ing said second lever in the second of said positions in the remaining cycles whereby said blade is carried to said closed position only in every Nth cycle.
 2. A cyclically operable ticket issuing machine according to claim 1 including selectable means for preventing movement of said second lever to the second of said positions whereby said blade is carried to said closed position in each cycle.
 3. A cyclically operable ticket issuing machine comprising means, operable in each cycle, for feeding continuous ticket stock to a printing position, means, operable in each cycle, for printing the ticket stock is said printing position with information selected by an operator for printing in that cycle, and means for automatically cutting said continuous ticket stock once in every Nth cycle, where N is an integer greater than one, in which said means for automatically cutting said continuous ticket stock comprises, a blade, reciprocable means carrying said blade between a closed position and a retracted position, an operating lever, means for effecting reciprocation of said operating lever once for each cycle, a seocnd lever carried by said reciprocable carrying means and positionable in two positions with respect to said carrying means, the first of said two positions being such as to allow engagement between said levers and the second of said positions being such as to prevent engagement between said levers, detaining means for effecting movement of said second lever to the second of said positions upon return of said blade to the retracted position, and ratchet means for moving said detaining means between an operative and an inoperative condition said inoperative condition occurring in every Nth cycle.
 4. A cyclically operable ticket issuing machine according to claim 3 in which the ratchet means comprises a ratchet arranged to move said detaining means between an operative condition and an inoperative condition, a reciprocating pawl for driving said ratchet, said pawl normally automatically rotating said ratchet in each reciprocation thereof whereby said detaining meAns becomes operative in certain cycles and inoperative in others, and selectively operable means for limiting the movement of said pawl to prevent the rotation of said ratchet. 